March 22, 2009

Let’s just hope he uses the money wisely. I am referring to the 30 million pound war chest that Rafa Benitez will be given when the transfer window opens this summer. It is great that the manager will have more power when it comes to transfers, let’s just hope that he acquires quality talent. Rafa has a history of ‘gap filling’ when it comes to bringing players in to Anfield. With the exception of a handful of players – Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano – Benitez has admitted that he doesn’t always go after the best talent. He likened his purchase of Josemi for the right back position to a piece of furniture stating, “You don’t need to buy the best leg for your table. You need to buy the leg you need for your table.” Liverpool doesn’t need hole pluggers, they need top quality purchases. The Manchester Uniteds, Chelseas and Arsenals of this world don’t just plug holes. They either purchase a top quality international, or they invest in young prodigies who will blossom into excellent talent.

Looking at the players that Benitez has brought into Liverpool over the past five seasons is further evidence of his poor transfer policy. Of the 33 players that he has purchased over the last 5 seasons, he has moved on 11 of them. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realise that Rafa has not been satisfied with a third of the players he has spent money on. Hopefully the final straw was the Robbie Keane transfer debacle, which effectively lead to a 4 million pound 6 month loan deal. We all know this money could have been better spent.

Gareth Barry’s name is sure to be one that will be linked with Liverpool again this summer. Please help me understand why Benitez is so keen to ship Xabi Alonso off? He has been outstanding for the Reds this season. Rafa would be better off aiming for players in positions where we have shortages in high quality. Dirk Kuyt could surely do with some support on the right wing, in addition to another striker. David Villa anyone?

We can only hope that Rafa uses the money he has wisely. Purchase one top quality player or two very good players with the 30 million and not 10 mediocre players for 3 million. Let’s bring quality into the club, not quantity.

March 4, 2009

If you listen to reports originating from the San Siro, A.C. Milan are lining up a summer move for Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic. The Rossoneri are rumoured to be willing to offer Manchester United 17 million pounds to acquire the services of the 27 year old Serbian international.Milan’s aging defense is in desperate need of reinforcement. With Paolo Maldini (40) due to retire at the end of the current Serie A campaign, Alessandro Nesta (32) plagued with injuries and Philippe Senderos returning to Arsenal from his season long loan, Milan will have a shortage of quality in the heart of their defense. The move for Vidic makes perfect sense. At least it does for Milan.

There is however, one problem with the equation. No amount of money will tempt Sir Alex Ferguson to part with his prized centre back. In fact, it would be Sir Alex’s biggest mistake as a manager if he did. It is in huge part to Vidic’s dominating season, that Edwin Van Der Sar went 1,311 minutes in the Premier League without conceding a goal. Vidic’s rock like presence and uncompromising brand of football has shot Manchester United to the summit of the table and has already brought (and will bring more) silverware to the cabinets at Old Trafford this season. Nemanja Vidic’s supremacy this season has made him a shoo-in for the English Premier League’s player of the year, a feat rarely won by a defender. Vidic has not only proven his value in the back half of the field, but he has also popped up with four goals this season, one of which was a crucial 90th minute match winner against Sunderland back in December, coming at a time when United couldn’t afford to fall further behind in the title race. Sir Alex has Jonathan Evans, Manchester United’s young centre back, waiting in the wings as a great prospect for the future, but until he gets more first team experience he is no where near ready to fill Vidic’s boots.

Milan will try and tempt Vidic into a career in Italy, however, Sir Alex Ferguson won’t allow it to happen, not even if it means making three or four times the 7 million pounds that was outlay on Vidic in 2006.Keeping the key asset of his defense will be his number one priority in the summer, not increasing the bank account at Manchester United. Milan will need to look elsewhere.